Exhuma
review by Bobby Blakey
Asian cinema brings some great blends of genres that when they work are like no other. The latest from Well Go USA, Exhuma comes from director Jang Jae-Hyun and starring CHOI Min-Sik, KIM Go-Eun, YOO Hai-Jin, and LEE Do-Hyun. Could this horror film live up to legends and history or will it fail to find its place above the Earth?
Exhuma follows a renowned shaman and her protégé who are hired by a wealthy, enigmatic family and begin investigating the cause of a disturbing supernatural illness that affects only the first-born children of each generation. With the help of a knowledgeable mortician and the country’s most revered geomancer, they soon trace the affliction’s origin to a long-hidden family grave located on sacred ground. Sensing an ominous aura surrounding the burial site, the team opts to exhume and relocate the ancestral remains immediately. But as something much darker emerges, they soon discover what befalls those who dare to mess with the wrong grave.
While not a big fan of the ghost, possession and hauntings sub-genre of the horror genre when done right I am all in. I was interested to see where this was heading since the Asian film market has had a lot of success with films like Ju-on aka The Grudge and Ringu aka The Ring. Heading into this one I knew nothing about where it was going and have to say it was a well-crafted and layered horror flick that while showcased some creepy undertones and interesting directions also gets bogged down on its own complexity and pacing.
The cast are all fantastic with each of them bringing their own sense of focus
and dread when time arises. They are a mixed bag of people to take on this entity that couldn’t be more different and yet work perfectly together. The surrounding cast, being threatened and tormented, are great as well bringing their own levels of emotions and terror to the forefront. Where the film struggles are in its pacing and explanation. It makes total sense, but often gets lost on the details and moves so slowly at times it might lose some not willing to wait it out in its longer run time.
The final act more than makes up for some of its shortcomings with some great use of light and imagery. They go all in with the layers of possession and conjuring’s to bring an interesting direction to life that works more often than it doesn’t. This is the kind of film that will no doubt find its audience and make for an interesting view but won’t work for those looking for a more intense visual and expediated experience.
Decide for yourself and check out Exhuma available now on digital, 4K, Blu-ray and DVD from Well Go USA.